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Vela supernova remnant

Coordinates: Sky map 08h 35m 20.66s, −45° 10′ 35.2″
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Vela supernova remnant
Diffuse nebula
supernova remnant
The Vela supernova remnant
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension08h 35m 20.66s
Declination−45° 10′ 35.2″
Distance936+62
−55 ly   (287+19
−17[1] pc)
Apparent magnitude (V)12
Apparent dimensions (V)8 degrees (approx.)
ConstellationVela
DesignationsVela XYZ, Gum 16, SNR G263.9-03.3, 1E 0840.0-4430, RE J083854-430902
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Vela supernova remnant is a supernova remnant in the southern constellation Vela. Its source Type II supernova exploded approximately 11,000 years ago (and was about 900 light-years away).[1] The association of the Vela supernova remnant with the Vela Pulsar was made by astronomers at the University of Sydney in 1968;[2] this, along with the Crab Pulsar, was among the first direct observational evidence that supernovae form neutron stars.[3]

The Vela supernova remnant includes NGC 2736. Viewed from Earth, the Vela supernova remnant overlaps the Puppis A supernova remnant, which is four times more distant. Both the Puppis and Vela remnants are among the largest and brightest features in the X-ray sky.

The Vela supernova remnant is one of the closest known to Earth, being around 800 light years away.[4] The Geminga pulsar is closer (and also resulted from a supernova), and in 1998 another near-Earth supernova remnant was discovered, RX J0852.0-4622, which from Earth's point of view appears to be contained in the southeastern part of the Vela remnant. This remnant was not seen earlier because when viewed in most wavelengths, it is lost in the Vela remnant.[5]

Younger Dryas hypothesis

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Due to the distance, proximity and size of the Vela supernova, it has been suggested that the supernova could have been a trigger for the Younger Dryas climate event that marked the end of the last ice age. While this theory is not very well accepted in scientific literature, many [who?] have considered it a possibility due to the time ranges of both events, possible damage to the ozone layer and rises in carbon-14 observed in tree rings.[6][7]

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  • Position of Vela in the Milky Way
    Position of Vela in the Milky Way
  • Vela Supernova Remnant, imaged by ROSAT
    Vela Supernova Remnant, imaged by ROSAT
  • Color enhanced image of the remnant with eROSITA. The bright blue object on the upper right is Puppis A. The blue circular nebula on the lower left is "Vela Junior" RX J0852.0−4622.
    Color enhanced image of the remnant with eROSITA. The bright blue object on the upper right is Puppis A. The blue circular nebula on the lower left is "Vela Junior" RX J0852.0−4622.
  • The northern portion of the Vela Supernova Remnant. North is to the left.
    The northern portion of the Vela Supernova Remnant. North is to the left.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Sushch, I.; Hnatyk, B.; Neronov, A. (2011). "Modeling of the Vela complex including the Vela supernova remnant, the binary system γ2 Velorum, and the Gum nebula". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 525: A154. arXiv:1011.1177. Bibcode:2011A&A...525A.154S. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201015346. S2CID 55224501.
  2. ^ Large, M. I.; et al. (1968). "A Pulsar Supernova Association?". Nature. 20 (5165): 340. Bibcode:1968Natur.220..340L. doi:10.1038/220340a0. S2CID 32855796.
  3. ^ Glanz, James; Irion, Robert (1999). "New Clues to the Habits of Heavyweights". Science. 283 (5401): 480–481. doi:10.1126/science.283.5401.480. JSTOR 2896938.
  4. ^ Martin Mobberley (2007). Supernovae: and How to Observe Them. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 199. ISBN 978-0-387-46269-1.
  5. ^ Brakenridge, G Robert (2025-05-06). "Late Quaternary supernovae in Earth history". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 539 (4): 3201–3219. doi:10.1093/mnras/staf554. ISSN 0035-8711.
  6. ^ Gough, Evan. "Supernova Explosions Changed Earth's Climate and Shaped Humanity's History". Universe Today. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  7. ^ Brakenridge, G. Robert (2011). "Core-collapse supernovae and the Younger Dryas/terminal Rancholabrean extinctions". Icarus. 215 (1). doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2011.06.043. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
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